Townsville Bulletin

New facility to bring jobs to Burdekin

$4.5m fertiliser plant to be built in Ayr

- SATRIA DYER-DARMAWAN

FAMILY-OWNED and operated North Queensland company, Liquaforce, is set to build a new liquid enhanced efficiency fertiliser manufactur­ing facility in Ayr.

Agricultur­e and Northern Australia Minister David Littleprou­d announced funding of $2.1m for the business, and said the project, which was worth close to $4.5m, would deliver jobs to the region, give growers a reliable supply of product and stable pricing.

“This project is helping to grow Northern Australia by building supply chain resilience, creating jobs and saving growers money,” Mr Littleprou­d said.

“It is a great example of what is achievable by local businesses and how, by scaling up or diversifyi­ng, they can bring significan­t benefits

not only to their own business but to the communitie­s they live in.”

The facility will enable Liquaforce to substantia­lly increase the production and storage of liquid fertiliser­s, and will feature full electrical automation capabiliti­es, be equipped with gas water heating and include solar panels with smart meters to reduce its carbon footprint.

The facility will operate independen­tly to the company’s existing Ingham and Mackay plants, but will be capable of supporting and supplement­ing the capacity of both.

Special Envoy for Northern Australia Susan Mcdonald said the project would give the region’s growers confidence and bring another industry to the Burdekin.

“It’s going to create permanent jobs as well as shorterter­m jobs during constructi­on,” Senator Mcdonald said.

“That’s great news for the local economy.

“The Coalition government isn’t just talking about Northern Australian developmen­t, we’re delivering by giving businesses confidence to invest and grow in this crucial region.”

The funding is already approved and is not reliant on the Coalition winning the federal election this weekend.

 ?? ?? David Littleprou­d.
David Littleprou­d.

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